Twice Tempted: Between Two Alphas (Mia and Cameron) novel Chapter 36

Chapter Thirty-Six

“Splendid!” Eric says, not the least bit perturbed, or even surprised. “Shall we save everyone the trouble and head back to the main house then?”

He takes my hand and kisses the top of it.

Cam growls. “Get your fucking hands off her.”

Eric smirks but lets my hand go.

“Sadly,” Eric goes on, “I’m not just here for you, Mia. There’s a certain she-wolf who owes me answers and I intend to get them.”

“Ashley? She’s in a coma.”

“For now,” Eric allows. He jerks his head toward one of the wolves waiting in the woods. This beast blends into the darkness with eyes so gold, it’s all you see. “I told you I was sending my own doctor. She’ll get to the bottom of this.”

Eric tilts his head and studies me. “Are you fully recovered?”

I’ve shifted several times so far, and I still have abrasions and injuries. “No. I’m much better than I was, but…”

“Dr. Glass will see you too then.”

Howls echo from all around us. Cam’s pack is here. In full force.

This could be an absolute bloodbath.

Cameron wants to fight.

His clawed hands flex and curl.

He hates that this wolf is on his land. He hates that I’m tied to Eric in any way.

Above all, he hates that he is vulnerable.

From outside–and within his own pack.

I want to tell him to think of our kids, that we need to choose peace. But he staged this too. He prepared for war.

And I have no idea if this will be where two great Alphas collide and die.

I glance between them.

Torn between two Alphas.

“Don’t do this,” I say softly. I’m not sure which of them I’m speaking to. “Please.”

Neither male appreciates my defense of the other.

I remember Cam’s hell-raising days, when he had many lovers and often more than one female would leave his room after a night of partying. But that was before I shifted for the first time.

From the moment I was of age…there was only me.

I don’t know Eric. Not really.

But he is possessive and all-consuming, and if I were to let myself fall into this man, he would own me completely.

Eric holds his hand out to Cameron. “We have bigger problems, you and I, right now. And a common enemy.” He winks at me. “How about we table our good taste in women for the moment and do what is needed for the betterment of our packs?”

“We have you surrounded,” Cam says. “What’s to stop me from tearing you apart right now, and taking everything you own?”

Eric smirks. “You could try.” His eyes flash. He’s a warrior, born to battle and he will not back down. “But the losses will be severe. For both our packs. And given your many months convalescing in bed, do you really think you’re ready to take on me?”

The statement isn’t made as a taunt. It’s a statement of fact. One I’m sure Cam is well aware of too.

“I had the pleasure of entertaining your brother and it would be nice for you to return the favor. Breakfast, perhaps?”

The sun is cresting over the horizon, turning the sky a bright, bright blue.

“On one condition,” Cameron says.

Eric arches a brow. “Go on.”

“Your spies… Take them out of here when you leave. Now that I’m awake, I can–and will–seek them out. And I will have no mercy.”

The threat hangs heavy… Cameron will kill them for their treachery.

“Of course,” Eric says easily.

They don’t shake on it.

The two Alphas just turn and walk side by side.

When Cameron retracts to his full human form, his height is dead level for Eric’s.

I follow behind them.

Naked. Alone. Unsure.

Nala gives an excited howl.

Of course, she’s enjoying this.

Me, I’m about to throw up.

We descend on Cam’s house. Every packmate present on these lands is at attention and either flanking Eric’s entourage as they walk out of the woods or standing at the ready in the square and in front of the main house. They line up like soldiers in an army, equally spaced. Some have shifted, others hold rifles or shotguns.

Cam’s father. Jace. My Dad. Michail, Liam, Declan, Tyler… they’re here. They’re pissed.

We’re a hair's breadth away from all-out war.

I stopped to get dressed when we left the woods. Cam didn’t bother stopping to put on clothes.

His confidence is absolute and his body is perfect, so why would he care?

As he walks back into the main packhouse, someone drapes a robe over him and while some men may have looked silly, he looks regal.

He sits at the long table at the far end of the hall, and extends his hand for Eric to sit across from him.

Once the two Alphas are seated, everyone else crowds inside.

I’m not sure he wants an audience for whatever he and Eric will discuss, but the show of force is a necessary one.

It was a very bold move of Eric to come here unannounced.

Technically, he tells me… I did tell you I was coming.

I gasp.

He winks at me.

Mia! This time, it’s Cam. They’re both in my head.

Oh please Goddess, don’t let them be able to hear each other!

“Sit down, Mia,” Cam says. He gestures to the place beside him.

I do as I’m told and sit, when all I really want to do is slink away.

I’m sure gossip is racing through this pack like wildfire.

I’m the traitor. The exile. The mate.

The woman who’s also tied to an enemy Alpha.

Cam’s father and Jace sit on Cam’s other side.

I don’t miss the nasty look Cam’s dad gives me.

Jace and Michail and my father settle in next.

Eric is surrounded by his sister, several huge wolves, and the female I assume is the doctor. She wears a lab coat and conducts herself with calmness.

“How did you clear our borders?” Jace asks.

“We airdropped in,” Corinne says.

Jace’s eyes are flickering. He’s no doubt communicating with our patrols. This is a small force assembled right now, but who’s to say if the whole of Eric’s vast pack isn’t planning a second, similar air raid?

“We’re here in a diplomatic capacity,” Corinne says. “More’s the pity.”

Eric clears his throat.

Corinne goes silent.

Pitchers of coffee are brought out. Assorted pastries and cookies. Fruits and croissants. I can smell the bacon frying and the eggs cooking in the kitchen.

There is something a bit surreal about how civilized all of this is. These two Alphas are an inch away from killing each other, yet they’ll sit together and share a meal?

Then again, maybe this is a good sign. Like there might be peace possible between them.

Everyone is silent as they eat.

Cameron loads up my plate.

Eric watches me closely. “Please eat,” he says when I just stare at my dish. “You’re not…well.”

Cameron bristles that another male should be remarking on how I look or showing concern for me.

Cam, I remind him. You’re mated and married to someone else.

By deception, Mia!

Eric watches the byplay between us. He can’t hear our shared thoughts, I don’t think. But he can tell we are conversing.

“She’s safer with me, you know,” Eric says quietly.

It is the wrong thing to say.

In one tense moment, Cam lunges across the table and grabs Eric by the throat.